Ultra fast broadband rollout in Palmerston North

MEDIA RELEASE

2 December 2011

Chorus and the Crown begin ultra fast broadband rollout in Palmerston North

Chorus, New Zealand’s largest telecommunications network operator together with Crown Fibre Holdings, have begun the ultra-fast broadband (UFB) rollout in Palmerston North by deploying new network infrastructure past the door of residents in the Roslyn and Terrace End suburbs.

Over the next seven months, this massive programme of work will see the new UFB network deployed across central Palmerston North and some areas of Roslyn. In addition, Chorus’ existing business fibre network is being made available at UFB prices.

Chorus General Manager of Network Build Chris Dyhrberg said the new ultra-fast broadband network will pass some 3,300 Palmerston North premises and connect 17 local schools by July next year.

“Today we’ve taken the first step towards Palmerston North’s fibre future and we’re eager to work with partners, local council and community groups to extend our network to more suburbs in the coming year,” said Dyhrberg.

”It’s pleasing to see the rollout get underway in Palmerston North. We expect it to enhance the city’s reputation as a transport and education hub for the lower North Island,” said Graham Mitchell, CEO of Crown Fibre Holdings.

In line with Government policy, fibre will be delivered first to priority customers, which includes schools, health facilities and businesses.

Chorus is working with a range of retail service providers to assist them in developing new fibre-based services. This will enable Palmerston North residents to connect to a service using ultra-fast broadband in 2012.

“With a massive reduction in fibre pricing, retail service providers can connect many Palmerston North businesses to ultra-fast broadband today,” said Dyhrberg.

This means many businesses can begin to connect to Chorus’ existing fibre services ahead of the UFB network deployment.

Chorus’ website has the list of Palmerston North urban schools included in the first year of the UFB rollout, as well as an online map outlining the local UFB candidate area, the first year deployment plans and its business fibre area. This means people can check on the rollout progress and find out if they can connect to the existing business fibre network.

Chorus has already begun the UFB network rollout in Ashburton, Auckland, Greater Wellington region (including Masterton), Blenheim and Rotorua with work due to start in Dunedin, Napier and Taupo within the next few months.

UFB deployment plans for Feilding, Gisborne, Hastings, Greymouth, Invercargill, Kapiti, Levin, Nelson, Oamaru, Pukekohe, Queenstown, Timaru, Waiheke Island, Waiuku and Whakatane are still being developed.

In all, Chorus’ new UFB network will run past more than 43,000 homes, schools, health facilities and businesses throughout the country by July next year, building on its existing 27,700km national fibre optic cable network.

Telecom’s proposed demerger of Chorus has been approved by shareholders and is due to be completed at the end of this month.

Palmerston North urban schools included in Chorus’ first year UFB rollout

The following schools will receive a new UFB fibre optic cable connection during Chorus’ first year fibre optic network deployment (covering the period to 30 June 2012):

• Awapuni School
• Awatapu College
• Carncot School
• Hokowhitu School
• Mana Tamariki
• Milson School
• Monrad Intermediate
• Our Lady of Lourdes School
• Palmerston North Adventist Christian School
• Palmerston North Intermediate
• Parkland School
• Riverdale School
• Somerset Crescent School
• St Peter's College
• Terrace End School
• West End School
• Winchester School

The complete list of the first 200 urban schools included in Chorus’ first year deployment can be viewed at: www.chorus.co.nz/ournetwork.

ENDS.

Information on Chorus’ UFB project can be viewed online at: http://www.chorus.co.nz/fibre_further_faster

Chorus’ online map outlining its UFB candidate areas, the first year deployment plans and its business fibre area can be viewed at: http://www.chorus.co.nz/ournetwork

The Telecom Group's fibre optic network can be viewed online at www.broadbandmap.govt.nz

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